Magnetic dinnerware

ABSTRACT

A line of ceramic, porcelain and plastic dinnerware that contains individual pieces inlaid with heavy duty magnetic rings on which silverware and other utensils are securely adhered by means of magnetic attraction.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/042,216 filed Aug. 26, 2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Magnetic Dinnerware,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of household items, and more specifically to the field of dinnerware sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for dinnerware sets. Among these are:

US Patent 2013/0105492 to Ricardo Melgoza describes a tableware system wherein tableware items are operably coupled to magnets for magnetically coupling the tableware items to a table top or placemat. The tableware items stay in place on the placemat or table top due to magnetic attraction between the magnets of the tableware items and metallic members disposed in the table top or placemat.

US Patent 2013/0098924 to Jill Tate describes magnetic dish sets including a dish body having a bottom area that is releasably attachable to a base. These magnetic dish sets include a dish having a body with means for releasably attaching a lid both on the top and the bottom of the body. The removable base and lid comprise magnets configured to create a retaining force with a mat having ferromagnetic inserts.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,377 to Joseph A. Harper describes a high chair with a top tray that has a steel ferromagnetic core or insert layer sandwiched between durable plastic layers. The aforementioned tray is used in conjunction with children's dishware pieces that have permanent magnets in their bases or bottoms. The insert is a sheet of seven gauge steel with perforations to relieve some of the weight of the metal. The bottoms incorporate two or more coin shaped permanent magnets.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a line of ceramic, porcelain and plastic dinnerware that contains individual pieces inlaid with heavy duty magnetic rings on which silverware and other utensils are securely adhered by means of magnetic attraction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative prototypical view of the present invention showing a magnetized dinner plate holding a metal fork and spoon.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative prototypical view of the present invention showing a ceramic coffee cup being placed in a magnetized saucer.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative prototypical view of the aforementioned coffee cup residing atop the magnetized saucer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

People attend social functions such as wedding receptions, charity luncheons and business meetings where meals are served a la carte or buffet style, providing an array of delicious food choices for guests and attendees. Dining in this manner usually involves loading a dinner plate with select foods and then transporting this plate to a table or bench where the meal is eaten and enjoyed. Carrying a loaded dinner plate is difficult, particularly when transporting the utensils necessary for consuming the contained food. Diners attempt to place their utensils directly on top of their loaded food plate to carry both the plate and silverware in one hand. An awkward situation at best, transporting plates and utensils in this manner may result in one's silverware sliding off the plate and onto the floor below. In worse case scenarios, the plate becomes off balance, resulting in the diner spilling their entire plate of food. This accident often occurs when one also is trying to juggle other items such as a cocktail, purse or a small child. Resulting in a costly waste of food, these accidents also cover the diner and floor with a sticky mess.

The present invention, hereafter referred to as Magnetic Dinnerware, is a line of ceramic, porcelain, glass and plastic dinnerware that contains individual pieces inlaid with heavy duty magnetic rings 14 on which silverware and other utensils and dinnerware containing ferromagnetic material are securely adhered by means of magnetic attraction. Magnetic Dinnerware provides users with a practical modification to the construction of dinnerware that enables the user to securely transport silverware along with their dish as well as secure various dishes together. Ideal for daily use, the Magnetic Dinnerware is especially functional and practical when dining buffet style or when dining while standing or sitting away from a table such as when attending parties or similar events.

Magnetic Dinnerware includes plates, bowls, coffee mugs and demitasse saucers. Each piece integrally contains a heavy duty, magnetic fastener that secures utensils to the actual plate, thus preventing these goods from falling or sliding about during transport. Magnetic Dinnerware is manufactured of elegantly crafted ceramic material with both stoneware and porcelain versions made available. Lightweight, yet durable embodiments of the Magnetic Dinnerware manufactured with a sturdy plastic are available for use by children and in institutional kitchens. Pieces from the Magnetic Dinnerware line are circular in shape. Each place setting includes a dinner plate, demitasse plate or saucer, bowl and coffee cup. A dinner plate measures approximately thirty centimeters in circumference, one half to two centimeters in depth and two to four centimeters in height. A demitasse plate measures approximately nineteen centimeters in circumference, one quarter centimeters in depth and two centimeters in height. A coffee cup measures approximately eight centimeters in diameter, nine centimeters in depth and ten centimeters in height. A bowl measures approximately fifteen to twenty one centimeters in circumference, eight centimeters in depth and nine centimeters in height. Magnetic Dinnerware is produced in a range of colors and patterns to accommodate various home decors, institutional uses and serving needs.

Each functional piece of the Magnetic Dinnerware 10 is inlaid with heavy duty neodymium magnets 14. A Neodymium magnet is the most widely used rare earth magnet and is the strongest type of permanent magnet available for commercial and household use. The neodymium magnets included for use with the Magnetic Dinnerware are constructed in the form of circular rings 14 concentrically around the piece near the perimeter of each piece. Alternatively, each piece contains two or more magnetic fasteners to encompass the total surface of the item and provide multiple areas on which to secure utensils and other items. Discreetly hidden from view, these magnets 14 are encased within the material of the plate, cup or bowl. The magnetic rings 14 can also be coated in colorful glazes with customized styles available for professional use. The Magnetic Dinnerware are produced in sets containing four complete place settings for residential use or in bulk for restaurants and institutions such as hospitals and schools.

Use of the Magnetic Dinnerware is simple and straightforward. A consumer selects one or more sets of these striking dishes for household use, choosing a set in accordance to desired color and pattern. Used just as standard dinnerware, the Magnetic Dinnerware is utilized as a reliable receptacle for various foods. When transporting the plate, a user utilizes the device's inlaid neodymium magnets to secure items such as utensils or other personal goods. If carrying a loaded plate from a buffet table to one's seat at a wedding reception, a user simply places their fork, spoon and knife atop the Magnetic Dinnerware's integrated magnetic fastener that runs around the plate's perimeter. One's silverware is secure as the user transports the food to a table. When assigning seating for party guests, a hostess may affix metal name tags inscribed with the individual names of those in attendance to each Magnetic Dinnerware plate, thus providing a truly unique means of setting a striking table. After use, Magnetic Dinnerware is washed by hand or in a household dishwasher, and then stored in a cabinet or cupboard until needed again.

Well suited when transporting solid foods, Magnetic Dinnerware is highly functional and safely effective when transporting hot coffee or steaming bowls of soup. With a cup or bowl securely affixed to a saucer or dinner plate by means of corresponding magnetic rings incorporated into each piece, a user has no concerns about spilling the hot food during transport. Magnetic Dinnerware enables busy servers in high volume restaurants to quickly clear tables without risking dropping multiple plates or utensils in the process. Durably constructed and attractively efficient, Magnetic Dinnerware will withstand many years of repeated use.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A piece of dinnerware that contains at least one magnetic area capable of securing another piece of dinnerware containing a magnetic area or utensils.
 2. The piece of dinnerware of claim 1, wherein the piece of dinnerware is selected from the group consisting of plates, bowls, cups, coffee mugs and demitasse saucers.
 3. The piece of dinnerware of claim 1, wherein the dinnerware comprises ceramic, porcelain, glass and plastic material.
 4. The piece of dinnerware of claim 1, wherein the magnetic area is inlaid with heavy duty neodymium magnetic material.
 5. The piece of dinnerware of claim 1, wherein the dinnerware is circular and the magnetic area is a circular ring centrally positioned in the base of the piece and concentrically around the piece near the perimeter of the piece.
 6. A place setting of dinnerware comprising a dinner plate piece, demitasse plate piece or saucer piece, bowl piece and cup piece, wherein each piece contains at least one magnetic area capable of securing another piece of dinnerware containing a magnetic area or utensils.
 7. The piece of dinnerware of claim 2, wherein the piece is a dinner plate that measures approximately thirty centimeters in circumference, one half to two centimeters in depth and two to four centimeters in height.
 8. The piece of dinnerware of claim 2, wherein the piece is a demitasse plate that measures approximately nineteen centimeters in circumference, one quarter centimeters in depth and two centimeters in height.
 9. The piece of dinnerware of claim 2, wherein the piece is a cup that measures approximately eight centimeters in diameter, nine centimeters in depth and ten centimeters in height.
 10. The piece of dinnerware of claim 2, wherein the piece is a bowl that measures approximately fifteen to twenty one centimeters in circumference, eight centimeters in depth and nine centimeters in height.
 11. The place setting of dinnerware of claim 6, produced in a range of colors and patterns to accommodate various home decors, institutional uses and serving needs.
 12. The piece of dinnerware of claim 1, wherein the magnetic area comprises two or more magnetic fasteners to encompass the total surface of the piece and provide multiple areas on which to secure utensils and other items.
 13. The piece of dinnerware of claim 5, wherein the circular ring of magnetic material is encased within the material of the piece, and is hidden from view.
 14. The piece of dinnerware of claim 5, wherein the circular ring of magnetic material is coated in a colorful glaze or customized styles. 